Review: Gone, Back Soon by Nick Trout

When Dr. Cyrus Mills returned home after inheriting his estranged father’s veterinary practice, The Bedside Manor for Sick Animals, the last thing he wanted was to stay in Eden Falls, Vermont, a moment longer than absolutely necessary. However, the previously reclusive veterinarian pathologist quickly found that he actually enjoyed treating animals and getting to know the eccentric residents of the tiny provincial town-especially an alluring waitress named Amy.

So Cyrus is now determined to make Bedside Manor thrive. Not an easy goal, given that Healthy Paws, the national veterinary chain across town, will stop at nothing to crush its mom-and-pop competitor. And the rival vet practice isn’t Cyrus’s only competition; a handsome stranger shows up out of nowhere who clearly has a mysterious past with Amy. To top it off, Cyrus finds himself both the guardian of a very unique orphaned dog and smack in the middle of serious small town drama.

Review: Think a warm mix of James Herriot and House, the country veterinarian with the determination and tenacity to delve into the root cause of the illness. He makes mistakes along the way, jumping to conclusions based on popular theory, but he knows to admit he was wrong – and who doesn’t love a man who can admit he’s wrong?

Cyrus (love that name!) Mills moves to small town Vermont to take over his deceased father’s veterinary practice and finds himself going up against a popular (and slightly unscrupulous) chain practice in the next town. Luckily he has the backing of his father’s former partner and his loyal patients (both four legged and two legged), and the begrudging acceptance of his father’s receptionist. He also has a budding relationship with a waitress from the local diner who believes in him and encourages her friends to take their pets to him.

I was immediately drawn into this story, charmed by Cyrus’ shyness and lack of social skills. The mystery of Ermintrude the cow and Gilligan the collie kept me turning pages, and the enigma of Stash had me hooked. When Cyrus took his turn at helping humans, my heart lurched. There is nothing bad in this book. It is heartwarming and humanizing. Cyrus is what you want in a vet and in a friend, and probably a life-mate.

One note, after starting the book I realized it was not the first of the series but that didn’t matter. There were only a few points I missed and I will go back and read the first book, The Patron Saint of Lost Dogs.

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